I. Jesus Tells the Story of a Man and His Two Sons
– The younger son desired his share of the estate.
– With his inheritance in hand, he left his father in search of happiness.
– However, his joy was fleeting, and his resources quickly dwindled.
– In desperation, he realized that the only way to save his life was to return to his father.
II. We Are Like That Young Son
– Our Father in heaven has generously given us an inheritance.
– Yet, there are times when we act like the younger son, living as though we have left home with our blessings.
– In those moments, we must remember that true fulfillment is found in returning to our Father.
III. The Same is Sometimes True of Us as a Congregation
– As a church, we must reflect on why we are here.
– Our purpose is not just to gather but to share the good news and serve as a community of faith.
– Remembering our mission keeps us grounded in our spiritual inheritance.
May we always seek to return to our Father, embracing the grace that brings heaven to earth.
Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor Bill Engfehr; Reader: William Ellington.
Order of service:
Readings:
- Psalm reading is from Psalm 32
- Old Testament reading is from Isaiah 12:1–6
- New Testament reading is from 2 Corinthians 5:16–21
- Holy Gospel is from Luke 15:1–3, 11b–32
Songs and Hymns:
- Today Your Mercy Calls Us
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Text: Oswald Allen, 1816–78, alt.
Tune: Friedrich K. Anthes, 1812–after 1857
Text and tune: Public domain - Chief of Sinners Though I Be
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Text: William McComb, 1793–1873, alt.;
Tune: Richard Redhead, 1820–1901;
Text and tune: Public domain. - He Will Hold Me Fast
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Ada Ruth Habershon, Matthew Merker
Copyright © 2013 Getty Music Publishing, Matthew Merker Music
Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740 - I Will Wait for You
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Jordan Kauflin, Keith Getty, Matthew Merker, Stuart Townend
© 2018 Getty Music Publishing; Jordan Kauflin Music; Matthew Merker Music; Townend Songs
Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740 - Lamb of God
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Text and tune by Twila Paris
© 1985 Jubilee Communications Inc.
© 1985 Mountain Spring Music
Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740 - On My Heart Imprint Your Image
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Text: Thomas Hansen Kingo, 1634–1703; tr. Peer O. Strömme, 1856–1921, alt.
Tune: Johann Balthasar König, 1691–1758
Text and tune: Public domain - Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer
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Text: William Williams
Tune: John Hughes
Public domain
Recording:
- Audio:
- Video:
- Watch on YouTube
Announcements:
- Sunday, Mar 30:
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- Worship Service (Pastor Robert W. Weise): 9 AM to 10:15 AM
- Sunday School and Youth Confirmation: 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM
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Sanctuary
- Adult Bible Study: 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM
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Fellowship Hall
- Deacon Meeting: 11:45 AM to 1:15 PM
- Wednesday, Apr 2:
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- Men’s Bible Study: 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM
- Midweek Worship: 6:30 PM to 7:15 PM
- Thursday, Apr 3:
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- AA Meeting: 6:30 PM
- Saturday, Apr 5:
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- Circle of Friendship: 10 AM to 11:30 AM
- AA Meeting: 1:30 PM
- Tuesday, Apr 8:
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- Second Tuesday Women's Bible Study: 6 PM to 8 PM
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Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, April 8th from 6-8 PM in the fellowship hall. We will be covering session 5 (Whatever is Admirable) of “Whatever – Keeping Your Heart in Tune with Whatever Life Brings”. Come celebrate the arrival of spring with a tea party! If you’d like, please bring your favorite tea party fare (finger sandwiches, quiches, canapes, scones, or little sweets). Text Shala Baker with any questions at 618-315-0788.
- Wednesday, Apr 9:
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- Fellowship Meal – Wednesday, April 9th: 6:30 PM
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Please join us Wednesday, April 9th in fellowship hall at 6:30 PM for a fellowship meal and devotion by Pastor Engfehr. Free-will offering will be collected to support the youth attending the National Youth Gathering this summer.
- Easter Lilies
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Help St James’ altar look beautiful for Easter Sunday! Order your Easter lilies ($15 can be placed in the locked box on the church office door) In Honor of, In Memory of, or In Thanksgiving for your loved one(s). We will list the donations in our Easter service bulletin. You are welcome to take the lily home after our Easter Services or leave it for the rest of the season. To order your lily, please complete the form in the narthex no later than today.
- 40 Days for Life Prayer Vigil
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“40 Days for Life is a pro-life international campaign that involves 40 days of prayer and peaceful vigils outside abortion facilities, aiming to end abortion through prayer and community outreach.”
This Spring, St James will be joining members of Good Shepherd, Collinsville on Saturday, April 12 for a vigil that will be located next to Planned Parenthood Fairview Heights, 317 Salem Pl Fairview Heights, IL. Each day of the 40 days, the vigil is held from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The amount of time each attendee is present dependent on their availability. Prayer folders are available. Signup sheet is located in the narthex.
If you have questions or need a prayer folder, please contact Janice Lanto 618-779-8269, Carmen Stewert 314-503-7449 or Janice Wendel 618-660-9166.
- Help Fill Glen-Ed Pantry’s Shelves with Most-Needed Items
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Consider donating some items Glen-Ed Pantry always needs:
- pasta side dishes
- hamburger helper meal starters
- oatmeal
- breakfast bars
- pop-tarts
- saltines
- other crackers
- jelly
- pancake syrup
- laundry detergent
- dish soap
Glen-Ed Pantry runs because of volunteers. To see how you can help, go to glenedpantry.org and find out about regular or special project volunteer opportunities. Questions? Contact Bev Tieman 618-288-4201.
- Meet our Guest Pastor
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Rev. Dr. Robert W. Weise, Senior Emeritus Professor Pastoral Ministry & The Life Sciences Dept. of Practical Theology, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO.
Bob is married to Janice, 55 years. Their marriage is blessed with 5 daughters and their spouses, 12 grandchildren. They live in Edwardsville, IL. He is an avid cyclist (occasional race), plays guitar and loves spending time with his family.
They attend St. Paul Ev Lutheran Church, Wood River, IL. He has earned degrees: B.S. Ed, M.S. and Ph.D. in Zoology parasitology/hematology); M.Div., Concordia Seminary, 1982. Professor of Clinical Hematology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 1973-1978. He served the Lord and His church as a parish pastor from 1982-1985 in rural Bunker Hill, Illinois and Springfield, Illinois, 1985-1992.
Bob was Professor of St. Louis Charities Foundation Chair of Pastoral Ministry and the Life Sciences, 1992-2014, Concordia Seminary, thereafter as Adjunct Professor of Practical Theology until 2021.
During his tenure at CSL, he gave many seminars and workshops in Central Europe, Russia, Latvia, and Brazil, and Germany, in addition to dozens of presentations in the USA. Also, during this time at CSL, Weise served 6 pastoral vacancies. Currently, he is writing and attending to future church and pastoral seminars and workshops. While at Concordia Seminary, he taught classes in the following areas: Genetic Science in Christian perspective; Studies in Creation, Pastoral Theology, Bioethics, Science, Ecology and the Doctrine of Man, and the Specific Ministry Pastoral Program.
- Lent/Easter Worship Schedule
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Date Time Event Pastor April 2 6:30 PM Midweek Worship Pastor Bill Engfehr April 9 6:30 PM Fellowship Dinner in Fellowship Hall – April 17 6:30 PM Holy Thursday Worship Pastor Tony Boos April 18 6:30 PM Good Friday Worship Pastor John Lukomski April 20 9:00 AM Easter Worship Easter Brunch and Easter Egg Hunt following service.
Pastor Bill Engfehr
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